Nine Kansas high school marching bands competed Wednesday at the Capital City Marching Band Festival held at Yager Stadium in Topeka, WIBW reported.
The event gave student ensembles a chance to perform and receive direct feedback from expert judges, according to the report. Washburn University Assistant Director of Bands Patrick Yeh said judges share wisdom and knowledge to help bands improve for later shows in the season.
Santa Fe Trail drum major Reese Black, a senior, said the judges’ feedback focused on unifying the ensemble, noting that most of the band was concentrating on one element while others were on another. She said the performance required significant preparation, including showing up before school and being on time.
Yeh also emphasized the time commitment involved in coordinating a marching band, saying groups rehearse most days of the week for multiple hours to coordinate anywhere from 30 to more than 100 members.
Family support was visible at the festival. Duane Shively, a Santa Fe Trail bus driver with family ties to the band, said the tradition spans generations and is something students can carry with them wherever they go.
All proceeds from the festival go directly toward supporting Washburn’s marching band program, WIBW reported.
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